Icing a Damask pattern

Icing a Damask patternHello my lovely cake friends xx I’ve been asked to make a Black on Ivory Damask cake. I’ve been let down with black fondant changing colour, and don’t want the same problem with icing. This will be my first attempt at using a cake template, so all...

Hello my lovely cake friends xx I’ve been asked to make a Black on Ivory Damask cake.
I’ve been let down with black fondant changing colour, and don’t want the same problem with icing.
This will be my first attempt at using a cake template, so all advice greatly received.
What tips do you have to colour the black icing? I’m planning to use royal icing. Do you mix your own, or buy it ready mixed? And how do you achieve a clean and crisp finish?
Looking forward to reading your comments. Thank you in advance xx

27 Replies

Hey Karen,
I usually dye my royal icing just using black americolor. I tend to do it a few hours before I need it because as it sits it will darken. I am still working on the crispness factor when stencling but a great tip I saw somewhere was to use small pins to hold your stencil in place an remove them as you get to the area you need to ice. Royal Bakery had a note about stenciling on her facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/notes/royal-bakery/stenciling-tutorial/256019364419371).

We just practiced royal icing stencils at our cake club meeting last week. Consistency of the icing is key, not too thick or icing will clump to thin it will run under your stencil. We did do the “pin” trick. Some preferred just holding the stencil with there hand. I found the pin got in my way…too each there own. Removing the stencil, pull off quickly & steady. I have made my RI with both pasteurized egg whites and meringue powder. Both worked well. A tiny drop of glycerin…just a drop, helps keep RI smooth. Best advice..practice on a fondant covered dummy. I’m still not 100%. But I know it’s because I need to practice more..

Hi, have you considered using a mold for the damask pattern? Fabulous Moulds has a fantastic one that would make your life so much easier. I bought it and it’s great! You would use fondant instead of Royal Icing and the pattern is consistent throughout the cake. Just a thought.

Hi Fun Fiesta Cakes, Allwaysjulez and Dessert by Design. Thank you so much for your great help xx Going to look at the mould option, and also going to practice on a cake dummy with RI using the home made method with some green and black in too xx Looking forward to seeing what it comes out like xx

I have a damask cake coming up and based on my prior experience with stenciling dark royal icing on a light colored cake, I decided to go with a fondant onlay. I think it’ll be simpler to use, and easier to apply with a cleaner result.

Thanks for the warning jchuck the one I found with makebake was £29 then post and package.
I’ve already bought the damask stencil kit which was £34 so don’t really want to spend more or my profits will be gone, but really worried I might mess up and it won’t look professional enough. Think I’ll practice with a light shade RI first and see how that goes till I get enough confidence.